There's no phrase better to describe what the Barlow offense has done this year on the mind and legs of senior quarterback Jack Shaban.

Before every snap the 5-foot- 9, 165-pound Shaban looks over the defense, makes sure all 10 of his teammates are lined up properly and then prepares to do what has proven to be nearly unstoppable all season -- run a potent triple-option attack.

Timid and fragile quarterbacks can step away now. The quarterbacks that are more concerned with how their handwarmers and eye-black look can go back to the sideline.

So do you have a rocket arm and can throw the ball 60 yards down the field? Sorry, we don't need you here either right now.

All we need right now is a quarterback that doesn't mind getting battered on a regular basis from crashing defensive ends and linebackers. Somebody that can make split-second decisions on whether to pull the ball away from his fullback or let him keep it and bust through the line. And if you decide to keep the ball on the play you will have to make another split-second decision moments later when you must choose if you should keep the ball and turn up the field or pitch it to your running back.

If it was easy then everybody would be doing it.

Shaban, however, has made it look easy. The quick-thinking quarterback has slashed through defenses for a school-record 2,049 yards and 36 touchdowns on 221 carries. He is the primary reason the third-seeded Falcons (10-2) won their first-ever state tournament game last week against Gilbert/Northwestern and will face No. 2 St. Joseph (11-2) of Trumbull Saturday in the semifinals of the Class M playoffs at Bunnell at 2 p.m.

"He's definitely the best we have ever had," said coach Rob Tynan, who took over the program 22 years ago. "His overall athletic ability is incredible. He's also unselfish and can make up for some mistakes with his athleticism."

Barlow, the small little school in Redding, has always had the reputation of producing great soccer teams. Football has always seemed to be the sport where the other athletes, who don't possess soccer skills, went to pass time in the fall. Yes, there have been talented players in the past and even teams that have had a chance to contend for a conference title, but it has always been an uphill battle for the Falcons.

"It's pretty rare for people to be excited for the football program here," said Shaban, a three-year starter. "Even the soccer boys are excited for us. They are leading the crowd cheering for us. It's been exciting for this group of seniors to do this. People called me crazy when I was a freshman and said that this class was going to make the playoffs.

"We are a tight-knit program. We wanted to change Barlow football and leave our mark. We haven't really done it yet, but we are making our way there."

No matter what happens on Saturday, SWC fans will be talking about the diminutive maestro of the Falcons' triple option for years to come. Opposing coaches are already sleeping a little better knowing that they won't have to face Shaban next season.

"He's the best I've seen running the option," said Brookfield coach Rich Angarano before a late-season showdown with the Falcons. "He can do it all."

It has always come back to the option for Barlow and Shaban. The Falcons only run four or five plays and Shaban has only thrown the ball 33 times all season.

"When you do it and execute it properly it can't be stopped," said Shaban. "We've seen teams put six guys up front or run a 3-3 stack. We have an incredibly intelligent offensive line. They are undersized, but they know how to block. We are dwarfed by some defenses. I'm bigger than our left guard, but they all have great technique and I see that every week."

The blocking duties fall on left tackle Jordan Ewud, left guard Steve Gordon, center Connor Mignone, right guard Davis Bigelow and right tackle Alex Gallaer. In order to pile up all those yards and touchdowns, Shaban has also had to take some vicious hits.

"I'm not the biggest guy," said Shaban laughing. "Some guys like to pick me up. It's free reign to put a hit on me."

So, in this pass-happy generation of quarterbacking, doesn't Shaban wish he could air it out more on offense?

"No," said Shaban. "I cannot throw the ball very well. We work on passing plays at practice every day, but we haven't needed them."

Shaban, who also excels playing lacrosse, has spent many hours perfecting the option with offensive coordinator Matt Stragazzi. They spent time watching film of Navy and Georgia Tech run their option offense. Shaban even admitted to watching old video of Oklahoma running its option back when the Sooners were the college kings of the option.

Tynan still has to yell at Shaban from time to time to let the ball go to his fullback Steve Miller (95-580-3TD) or one of his other backs in Harry Wilson (77-951-12TD) and Bryan Gallaer (43-500-5TD).

"He's such a competitive kid," said Tynan. "He loves the physicality of the game and will do whatever it takes to win. He's extremely competitive."

That competitive spirit follows Shaban everywhere he goes. In a physical education class the day of the Homecoming Game this year Shaban was going his usual 100 percent in a flag football game and ended up taking an elbow to the face that resulted in a black eye.

The most amazing part of Shaban's season is the fact that his offensive success has come with him also being one of the team's top defenders lining up at strong safety and linebacker. In addition to rushing for 216 yards and four touchdowns in Barlow's 54-27 win over Gilbert/Northwestern, Shaban made seven tackles.

"I try to keep him back on defense, but he will just keep walking up to the line," said Tynan. "He's just a football player. He would play right tackle if I asked him."

For now Shaban has no concern about being too physical as his high school football career is winding down. There have been many hours filled with daydreaming about his Falcons being in this position -- about being able to play with the big boys in the state playoffs and putting Barlow football on the map.

"There's definitely a little anxiety," said Shaban. "It felt great to get that last win for Coach T. He's a hell of a coach and we love him to death. We felt honored to get that first state playoff win."

The only option was to find that proper mix of quarterback and toughness.